Slideable drawer stop



K. H. GUTNER Oct, 8,

' Filed Sept. 21. 1967 N WT U W6 N. H H T E N N E K United States Patent3,404,932 SLIDEABLE DRAWER STOP Kenneth H. Gutner, 591 Roger Williams,Highland Park, Ill. 60035 Filed Sept. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 669,437 1Claim. (Cl. 312-348) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A removable rivet-likemember for insertion into the side wall or bottom wall of a slideabledrawer wherein the head of the member is undercut and the shank of themember is equipped with a plurality of convergent circumferentiallyspaced apart ribs.

Over the years various dowel-like members have been provided in drawersto prevent inadvertent removal of the drawer from a dresser desk or likedrawer-equipped structure. Thus, the idea of a drawer stop is generallyWell known-the stops projecting beyond the drawer proper for engagementwith the drawer-opening defining frame. Thus, the drawer can be pulledalmost all of the way out, but not all the way without first removingthe dowel or other stop member. Notwithstanding the availability of thisbasic concept for many years, it has not been widely utilized because ofthe difiiculty of reconciling two conflicting objectives. The stopmember must first be easily installed and removed. On the other hand, itmust be firmly and securely seated to perform its function. According tothe instant invention, these heretofore essentially irreconcilableobjectives have been met in a single structure and the provision of sucha stop structure constitutes an important object of the invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the detailsof construction and operation set down in this specification.

The invention is described in conjunction with an illustrativeembodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a dresser havingdrawers equipped in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 22of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the rivetlike member of theinvention.

In the illustration given and with reference to FIG. 1, the numeraldesignates generally a dresser or like structure. For example, otherfurniture structures which utilize drawers such as desks, cabinets,etc., may utilize the invention to advantage. However, for ease ofgeneric designation, I will refer to such structures as dressers. Thedresser '10 is seen to be equipped with a top 11 and a plurality ofdrawers 12, 13, 14 and 15. The drawer 14 is shown in virtuallycompletely removed condition to reveal the existance of holes 16 and 17provided in the side thereof. Alternatively, the holes may be providedin the base of the drawer. The invention contemplates both installationsites-and for the purpose of brevity, I characterize both locations assides. In any event, a rivet-like lmember generally designated 18 andseen installed in the side wall of the drawer 15, is adapted to engage aportion of the perimetric frame 19 provided as part of the dresser so asto limit removal of the drawer.

In connection with the drawer 14, it is seen that a package 20 has beenstapled to the inside of the drawer, the package 20 containing two ofthe dowels 18 for installation in the holes 16 and 17.

Once the dowels are installed in the fashion indicated in FIG. 2 whereinthe stop member 18 is mounted in an opening 21 provided in the drawerside 22, the assembly is complete. From time to time, it may becomenecessary to remove the drawer completely from the dresser 10as forapplying paper, cleaning, etc. In that case, the stop member 1 8 isreadily removed by inserting a prying tool under the head portion 23 inthe vicinity of the undercut designated 24. This permits leverage to beapplied so as to loosen the member 18 and facilitate its removal.

In the illustration given, the stop member 18 is constructed of asubstantially rigid plastic material such as polypropylene and which ischaracterized by substantial impact strength, it being appreciated thatthe shank portion 25 will be the portion to contact the frame 19' so asto restrict withdrawal of the drawer. I have found that excellentresults are obtained when the shank portion 25 is equipped with integralribs of the character designated 26 in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ribs beingcircumferentially spaced apart on the shank 25 and convergent whenproceeding away from the head 23.

In operation, the ribs 26 develop a superior seat or connection betweenthe stop member 18 side 22 notwithstanding the fact that there is alimited amount of surface under the head 23 as at 27 for bearing againstthe inner side of the drawer. Thus, the ribs 26 tend to stabilize theconnection of the stop member 18 with the drawer side 22 against anyundesirable rocking which could result from the impact of the stopmember 18 with the frame 19. The rocking referred to tends to loosen thestop member in its seat, particularly when there is limited surfacebearing provided by the base surface 27 to the head 23. However, theribs prevent this while still making available the advantageousundercutting as at 24 for easy removal. It will be appreciated that avariety of undercuts may be employedin some instances a slight bevelingmay be equally advantageous. In the illustration given, the shank of thestop member 23 has a diameter of The ribbing 26 extends over about onehalf the length of the shank with the taper being relatively small, ofthe order of about less than 15.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of anembodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose ofillustration, many variations of the details herein given may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. In a dresser or the like having pull-out drawers wherein the drawersare confined by a generally rectangular frame when fully installed, saiddrawer along each side having a projecting member adapted to engage saidframe to limit complete disengagement of the drawer from the frame, theimproved projecting member characterized by the fact that it isconstructed of polymeric material having a substantial impact strength,said member having a generally tubular elongated shank portion extendingoutwardly of said drawer for engagement with said frame, said memberhaving an integral head portion inwardly of said drawer at one end ofsaid shank portion, said shank portion adjacent said head portion beingequipped with a plurality of circu-mferentially spaced apartlongitudinally extending integral ribs, said ribs converging radiallyin-wardly proceeding away from said head, said head portion having agenerally flat surface intersecting said shank portion, the outerperiphery of said fiat surface being relieved to facilitate removal ofsaid member from a mounting hole in said drawer.

Jowett 312348 Rhodes 312-348 X Abramovich 312-348 Rose 85-19 Rudd 8526JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

